101 number charges increase to 15p

Currently, calls to 101, irrespective of the length of call, cost 10p.

The change comes as all 43 police forces in England and Wales will adopt 101 as their new single non-emergency number.

This month, police forces will begin changing to the 101 number, starting with the Metropolitan Police, with South Yorkshire Police making the switch from the current 0114 2202020 non-emergency number in November.

The 101 service has been available in Sheffield since 2006 and will continue to allow residents to report incidents such as vandalism and threatening behaviour.

Superintendent Rob Odell from South Yorkshire Police said: “If you live in Sheffield you will see no change to the excellent 101 service you currently receive.

“It is a fact that the 5,000 Sheffield residents who use the 101 service per month will be charged more than they were previously.

“However, in the future many callers such as mobile users who will call 101 instead of the current non-emergency number will pay significantly less.”